WGU C963 2024.
Natural Rights
The right to life, liberty, and property; believed to be given by God; no government may take them away.
State of Nature
A theory on how people might have lived before societies came into existence.
Due Process
The requirement that government, when dealing with people, have in place a fair procedure which it
equally applies to all.
Social Contract
An agreement between people and government in which citizens consent to be governed so long as the
government protects their natural rights.
Political Ideologies
Coherent philosophies about the structure, power, and purpose of government.
Bicameral Legislature
A lawmaking body that consists of two separate chambers.
Popular Vote
An election in which the winner is determined by the number of individual votes obtained.
Virginia Plan
A plan for a two-house legislature; representatives would be elected to the lower house based on each
state's population; representatives for the upper house would be chosen by the lower house.
New Jersey Plan
A plan that called for a one-house national legislature; each state would receive one vote.
Great Compromise
Also known as the Connecticut Compromise. A compromise between the Virginia Plan and the New
Jersey Plan that created a bicameral legislature; representation based on population in the House of
Representatives and equal representation of states in the Senate.
Three-Fifths Compromise
A compromise between northern and southern states that called for counting of all a state's free
population and 60 percent of its slave population for both federal taxation and representation in
Congress.
, Veto
The power of the president to reject a law proposed by Congress.
Checks and Balances
A system that allows one branch of government to limit the exercise of power by another branch;
requires the different parts of government to work together..
Separation of Powers
The sharing of powers among three separate branches of government.
Federal System
A form of government which power is divided between state governments and a national government.
Enumerated Powers
The powers given explicitly to the federal government by the Constitution; power to regulate interstate
and foreign commerce, raise and support armies, declare war, coin money, and conduct foreign affairs.
Reserved Powers
Any powers not prohibited by the Constitution or delegated to the national government; powers
reserved to the states and denied to the federal government.
Political Ideologies
Coherent philosophies about the structure, power, and purpose of government.
Ratification
The action of signing or giving formal consent to a treaty, contract, or agreement, making it officially
valid.
Republic
A system of government in which power is given to the people through their ability to elect
representatives who make laws on their behalf.
Habeas Corpus
The right to know, before a judge, why you have been detained.
The Federalist Papers
A series of 85 essays, written and published in favor of ratifying the Constitution.
Faction
A group who gathers together to advocate for their special interest.
Impeachment
Natural Rights
The right to life, liberty, and property; believed to be given by God; no government may take them away.
State of Nature
A theory on how people might have lived before societies came into existence.
Due Process
The requirement that government, when dealing with people, have in place a fair procedure which it
equally applies to all.
Social Contract
An agreement between people and government in which citizens consent to be governed so long as the
government protects their natural rights.
Political Ideologies
Coherent philosophies about the structure, power, and purpose of government.
Bicameral Legislature
A lawmaking body that consists of two separate chambers.
Popular Vote
An election in which the winner is determined by the number of individual votes obtained.
Virginia Plan
A plan for a two-house legislature; representatives would be elected to the lower house based on each
state's population; representatives for the upper house would be chosen by the lower house.
New Jersey Plan
A plan that called for a one-house national legislature; each state would receive one vote.
Great Compromise
Also known as the Connecticut Compromise. A compromise between the Virginia Plan and the New
Jersey Plan that created a bicameral legislature; representation based on population in the House of
Representatives and equal representation of states in the Senate.
Three-Fifths Compromise
A compromise between northern and southern states that called for counting of all a state's free
population and 60 percent of its slave population for both federal taxation and representation in
Congress.
, Veto
The power of the president to reject a law proposed by Congress.
Checks and Balances
A system that allows one branch of government to limit the exercise of power by another branch;
requires the different parts of government to work together..
Separation of Powers
The sharing of powers among three separate branches of government.
Federal System
A form of government which power is divided between state governments and a national government.
Enumerated Powers
The powers given explicitly to the federal government by the Constitution; power to regulate interstate
and foreign commerce, raise and support armies, declare war, coin money, and conduct foreign affairs.
Reserved Powers
Any powers not prohibited by the Constitution or delegated to the national government; powers
reserved to the states and denied to the federal government.
Political Ideologies
Coherent philosophies about the structure, power, and purpose of government.
Ratification
The action of signing or giving formal consent to a treaty, contract, or agreement, making it officially
valid.
Republic
A system of government in which power is given to the people through their ability to elect
representatives who make laws on their behalf.
Habeas Corpus
The right to know, before a judge, why you have been detained.
The Federalist Papers
A series of 85 essays, written and published in favor of ratifying the Constitution.
Faction
A group who gathers together to advocate for their special interest.
Impeachment
